Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is healthy again and ready to build on his career-best season. Coach Mike Smith told reporters that Ryan has recovered from a left shoulder sprain from late in the NFC Championship Game.

Ryan was expected to need about a month to heal, and he's done so in less time without surgery. With more time off in February and March, Ryan is on track to work with his teammates in April.

"He's been working in the training room and this week he started working in the weight room," Smith said of Ryan, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He's recovered and we absolutely expect him to well beyond 100 percent when we start our offseason program."

After Jan. 20's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Smith said Ryan could have played in the Super Bowl if needed two weeks later. Ryan missed his trip to the Pro Bowl a week later.

It's great news for the Falcons, as they go back to work trying to take that one extra step in 2013. In 2012, Ryan had the best numbers of his career, including passer rating (99.1), completion percentage (68.6), passing yards (4,719) and passing touchdowns (32).